Published on 1st September 2022

“I often say that I can’t understand why everyone isn’t a Quaker,” says Tony Cocks, a familiar face at the Meeting House in Worthing Road, Horsham. “It seems to me that the Quakers lead the way in terms of reflecting society. We are concerned about the environment and climate change, have strong views on war and human rights, and in times when many have difficulty saying who or what God is, the Quakers accommodate practically any definition of God.”

This capacity to move with the times and in some instances set an example - as in 2009 when the Quakers agreed to perform marriage ceremonies for same sex couples - would appear to fit well with today’s society. Yet, like many religious groups, Quaker numbers are declining. While there are about 400 meeting houses in the UK, there are fewer than 15,000 members and only about 10,000 regularly attend. 

Ruth Chick is a long-serving Quaker in Horsham, having joined 52 years ago with herhusband, Martin. She has noticed the steady decline. “I certainly don't think there are as many people involved now as there were when we joined,” says Ruth. “In those days, we had a number of what we called “weighty friends”, a term not really used today but which essentially means long-serving or influential Quakers that had strong feelings about the order and who others looked up to.”

WHO ARE THE QUAKERS?

If you only know one thing about the Quakers, it’s possibly that they have an association with porridge! Quaker Oats was born when one of the founders of the Chicago-based food company read an article about the Quakers and thought its ethos tied in with his own, so named his product after them. The white-haired man on the packaging is the Quaker William Penn, who had links to Horsham and founded Pennsylvania. So, what do Quakers do and what do they stand for? 

They are formally known as the Religious Society of Friends, although Quakers remains the commonly used term. It has Protestant roots and believes there is something of God in everyone and that we’re all equal. Quakers say that “the light of God is in every single person” and that everyone can have a relationship with God, without the need for a priest or minister. 

Although it’s a Christian denomination, some perceive Quakers to be a universal religion, incorporating not just Christianity and the Bible, but other faiths and churches too. A book, entitled ‘Quaker Faith and Practice’ offers guidance and spiritual wisdom, with amendments made frequently (in the context of religious documents, anyway!)
Tony Cocks said: “The Quakers write such lovely statements. The book opens with these wonderful words: “Take heed, dear friends, to the promptings of love and truth in your hearts.” It is skilfully written to allow an individual to interpret the meaning of what they feel. Many Quakers are pacifists and we might all agree war isn’t in-keeping with the teachings of Jesus, yet we don’t go so far as to say that you must be a pacifist. Everyone is unique with their own situation, history and emotions, and a true friend is one who tries to understand and be supportive. That is the essence of the Quakers.”

THE SOUND OF SILENCE

If you know one thing about the Quakers that isn’t related to oats, it’s perhaps that they conduct meetings largely in silence. Quakers do not meet in churches, but in simple buildings or rooms. In Horsham, they convene in a Grade II listed house with an attached cottage on Worthing Road. There is no pulpit as no priests deliver sermons, and no font for holy water as there are no baptisms. There is no organ to accompany hymns, nor stained glass windows depicting biblical scenes. Instead, worshippers sit on chairs and form a circle, given them equal status. They wait in shared silence, only speaking if they have a strong religious feeling or are “moved by the spirit”.

Jacinta White is originally from the Netherlands and joined Horsham Quakers nine years ago, having found out about them at a meeting of Amnesty International at the same Meeting House. She felt that Quaker values matched her own and says the meetings are important to her wellbeing. “We mostly sit in silence, but when we speak, it’s often a simple message,” says Jacinta. “It might be something we heard on the radio or read in a newspaper, or an experience we wish to share, but our words are not intended to spark a discussion or debate. We don’t comment on someone else’s statement. It is akin to dropping a pebble into still water and letting the ripples spread. There is a reason why you are moved to speak and it’s likely that there is somebody in the room who needs to hear your words. By responding, you may unintentionally muddy the waters.”

“I find that silence connects people. We are short of silence in modern life, as we’re always doing something - listening to someone talk watching something on our screens. How often do we sit in a room with others where nobody speaks? I think it’s beneficial to do that, as you need time with your thoughts. The meetings make space for the light to come in and sometimes I come in with a problem and leave feeling better for the peace. We all need to be in a quiet space from time to time and if everyone did that, it would greatly benefit society.”

MODERN OUTLOOK

The Quakers are known to adjust their beliefs in line with the times and there have been occasions where they’ve had an influence on progressing society. The Quakers played a part in the push for women’s suffrage and the movement to abolish slavery, while more recently, they supported same sex marriages. Quakers have supported environmental campaigns too, which in Horsham has included recycling initiatives and raising awareness of climate change.

Marilyn Quail said: “Quakers have supported Extinction Rebellion, although not everyone agree with all of its actions, and have protested outside of the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) event in London, one of the biggest arms fairs in the world. I’ve also been to Calais to assist at a refugee camp and this was something I did through the Quakers. Closer to home, we have campaigned on behalf of people detained at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre at Gatwick, who often have no idea when they’re going to be released.” 

“There's now a drive towards sustainability and we hosted the first Horsham Refill Centre at our Meeting Place. Sadly, it became so popular that we couldn’t carry on hosting it after our former Resident Friend (who lives in the cottage and maintain the building) left. However, the Unitarians stepped in and now the refill centre is part of the Sussex Green Hub at the United Reformed Church. Several Quakers still help run the refill service, offering eco-friendly household products.” 

HISTORICAL LINKS

Horsham has a historical association to the Quakers. After King Charles I was executed for treason, there was unrest as Oliver Cromwell became the country’s first Lord Protector. During this time, George Fox toured England preaching a simpler, more reflective faith within the Christian family but outside the Church of England, which he believed was corrupt. He rapidly built up a following, known as the Society of Friends. 

In March 1655, Fox held a meeting in Steyning and that same year, debated with the Baptist Matthew Caffyn at Sedgwick Lodge. However, the Society didn’t endear themselves to other churches and was known to disrupt services. One Quaker, Thomas Leycock, called John Chatfield, the vicar of the parish church, “a ravening wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

The origin of the term ‘Quakers’ is unclear, but one story is that Fox told a magistrate to tremble or “quake” at the name of God, and it stuck. The Quakers refused to bow or take off their hats to social superiors, believing all men equal under God, and also refused to swear oaths of loyalty to the King.  For this reason, many were imprisoned and Fox himself spent three months in Horsham jail, which also held Leycock for a time. Another Quaker, Ambrose Rigge, spent 10 years in the town jail for refusing to take the oath of allegiance, with the monarchy re-established under Charles II.

Although they were deemed criminal, Quakers held open air meetings, with members speaking when they felt compelled to do so. It’s a form of worship that continues to this day. William Penn was amongst the early followers and his home at Warminghurst Place (between Ashington and Thakeham) became a hub of Quaker activity. After travelling to America with many Quakers, where he founded the state of Pennsylvania, Penn returned to England and helped establish a Meeting House in Coolham. That building was The Blue Idol, where Quakers still meet every Sunday. Horsham is now one of six Quaker societies in the West Weald, including the Blue Idol. Occasionally, clerks from houses in Surrey, Sussex and Kent come together at a regional level, and there is also the Yearly Meeting at Friends House in London, which helps shape the movement. Quaker magazines and pamphlets are distributed to spread news and guidance. 

Jacinta believes there are many people who could benefit from the sense of community that the Friends offer and the peace of contemplative worship. “We have Christian roots, but whereas a lot of churches have it laid out what they should believe in, we don’t. Instead, we have testimonies of equality, truth, justice, simplicity, peace and sustainability. The Quakers move with the times, which is important as religion today is different to what it was like centuries ago.”

“As there is no set creed, we don't say, “this is the past, this is the present, this is the future.” We look at the situation in the world and respond to it. People sometimes associate the Quakers with conscientious objection, which dates back to the Second World War. Yet about a third of Quakers in the UK served, while another third ran the Quaker Ambulance Service. It isn’t “one size fits all” with the Quakers. We are all unique and all children of God, whatever you perceive God to be.”

Further information: www.horshamquakers.org.uk

WORDS: BEN MORRIS / PHOTOS: ALAN WRIGHT